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1,000 Consecutive Ultrasounds for Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Mark George McKenney, Larry Martin, Kimberley A. Lentz, Cristina Lopez, Danny Sleeman, George Aristide, Orlando C. Kirton, Diego Nuñez, Rony J. Najjar, Nicholas Namias, Jorge Sosa

Open publisher page 251 citations

Abstract

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) and computed tomography (CT) are the primary diagnostic modalities used in the evaluation of patients with suspected blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). DPL is fast and accurate but is associated with complications. CT is also accurate, yet requires stability and transportability of the patients. Ultrasound (US) has been suggested as an aid in evaluating BAT. We evaluated US in the initial assessment of BAT in 1000 patients. Patients were eligible for the study if they met specified trauma criteria and had suspected BAT. We then followed the outcome of the patients and their further work-up. US showed a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 99%, and an accuracy of 97% for detecting intraabdominal injuries. We conclude that emergency ultrasound may be used as the initial diagnostic modality for suspected blunt abdominal trauma.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) and computed tomography (CT) are the primary diagnostic modalities used in the evaluation of patients with suspected blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). DPL is fast and accurate but is associated with complications. CT is also accurate, yet requires stability and transportability of the patients. Ultrasound (US) has been suggested as an aid in evaluating BAT. We evaluated US in the initial assessment of BAT in 1000 patients. Patients were eligible for the study if they met specified trauma criteria and had suspected BAT. We then followed the outcome of the patients and their further work-up. US showed a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 99%, and an accuracy of 97% for detecting intraabdominal injuries. We conclude that emergency ultrasound may be used as the initial diagnostic modality for suspected blunt abdominal trauma.

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OpenAlex reports 251 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

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Available abstract

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) and computed tomography (CT) are the primary diagnostic modalities used in the evaluation of patients with suspected blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). DPL is fast and accurate but is associated with complications. CT is also accurate, yet requires stability and transportability of the patients. Ultrasound (US) has been suggested as an aid in evaluating BAT. We evaluated US in the initial assessment of BAT in 1000 patients. Patients were eligible for the study if they met specified trauma criteria and had suspected BAT. We then followed the outcome of the patients and their further work-up. US showed a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 99%, and an accuracy of 97% for detecting intraabdominal injuries. We conclude that emergency ultrasound may be used as the initial diagnostic modality for suspected blunt abdominal trauma.

Key concepts: Medicine, Blunt, Abdominal trauma, Diagnostic peritoneal lavage, Radiology, Computed tomography, Focused assessment with sonography for trauma, Blunt trauma

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